“RED RAT” NEWSLETTER May 2020

HQ1ATF ASSOCIATION REUNIONIn Memory of our D&E losses at Long Khanh (12 June 1971)

Canberra: 29 October - 02 November 2020Capital Country Holiday Park

47 Bidges Road, SUTTON NSW 2620 Ph:(02) 6230 3433 Email: bookings@capitalcountryholidaypark.com.au

Web: www.capitalcountryholidaypark.com.au

Firstly, our thoughts are with Neil McLaughlin from Haywards Bay (NSW) and the loss of his wife, Janice, who died 29 February 2020. A floral tribute was sent by HQ1ATF Association.

Our Patron, Dr Mike Kelly AM (Ret Col) has retired from Federal Politics, effective 30 April 2020. In Mike’s words: “All of my health problems are due to my military service. I guess some things you never stop paying for, but service is its’ own reward, and I would not change a thing.” In this Red Rat, The Leader of the Opposition (Anthony Albanese) has a few words to say about Mike. Hopefully Mike will stay on as our Patron – I wait to hear from him in the next few months.

The Reunion confirmations continue to roll in and we now have 87 members and wives/partners coming along: the list of current attendees is in this Red Rat. If you have not yet registered please do so: simply complete the form attached and get it back to me – we need numbers for catering, coaches, etc. Thanks to the many members that have confirmed to date and also special thanks for the many financial donations – it’s a bit hard finding external money, as fires, floods, Coronavirus, etc. have taken precedence (and every dollar helps us). And now we need some raffle items for the dinner at the reunion. Please start to work on any businesses you have contacts with and bring along some good items. (watches, cars, motor bikes, vacations, etc!!!) Ask your grown-up kids for some stuff also! SHOULD the Reunion be either postponed or cancelled for any reason you will receive 100 per cent refund of your reunion fees. In the case of the Coronavirus still isolating Australian States from each other this will be the case. The Committee will make any decision mid September.

Don’t forget that the Commemoration Dinner will be held at the Old Parliament House on Saturday 31 October, preceded by the Service at our Vietnam Veterans Memorial (our Caloundra Padre, Arthur Fry, from our 2016 reunion, will officiate). The Royal Military Band will be playing for us at the dinner. The following evening (Sunday 1 November) at our Capital Country Holiday Park, dinner will be informal with entertainment again by Mel and Kel (Carmel Chayne) who entertained some of us at Luscombe Bowl in the late ‘60’s. Friday evening, 30 October, is free for you to organise dinner and some time with your mates.

Coronavirus needs a mention, just as it does in all forms or printed material, radio and TV. I dug out a few light stories so we also could be part of the crazy world we seem to be living in! By the time you read this Red Rat, lockup stages have been relaxed in NSW, Victoria and the ACT.

If any of you would like to share a story with the Red Rat, just send it to me and it will be published – that’s if it meets our rigorous committee!!!!!’s approval. The Red Rat is sent to all members and a selected external list, every three months.

In the November 2018 issue of the Red Rat, we had a story on Charlie, my mindDog. Sadly, Charlie passed away last November and I repeat some of this article as mindDog needs help. (by the way Nellie, a female Labradoodle, has now taken up residence with us).

This RED RAT has been emailed to all members with email addresses and by mail to the 25 odd members who do not have email addresses and who have paid their fees. There are another 70 odd members who have elected at this stage, not to pay fees. If you are chatting with your mates wherever they may be, please check to see that they are receiving our Association’s RED RAT – or better still, ask them to email me with their updated email address (jeverhelst@gmail.com)

Regards

John Verhelst (Editor) www.hq1atf.org

OPEN ARMS VETERANS & FAMILIES COUNCELLING The Veterans Line 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046.

Dr Mike Kelly AM (Ret Col)Anthony Albanese, Federal Opposition Leader Statement on Resignation from

Parliament“The Federal Parliament will be poorer for the retirement of Mike Kelly as the Member for Eden Monaro.

Mike Kelly is a great Australian. He has served our nation in uniform and he has served his community in our national Parliament. 

Mike’s retirement is a direct result of renal health issues sustained in connection with his service in Somalia, Iraq and Timor Leste. He has been struggling with these health problems for some time and is retiring because of the heavy demands of servicing his large and diverse electorate.

Mike is putting his community ahead of himself. He served the nation for 20 years in the Australian Army before retiring as a Colonel.

He won the seat of Eden Monaro for Labor from the Coalition not once, but twice. In Government, Mike held five Parliamentary Secretary portfolios. He also served as Minister for Defence Materiel.

On behalf of the Australian Labor Party I wish Mike, his wife Rachelle and his family the best for the future.”

The Guardian, Thursday, 30 April 2020

PENSION TYPES AND RATES. For updates and DVA services, see websites below:

www.dva.gov.au/pensions_and_compensation/pensions_and_rates/Pages/index.aspx www.dva.gov.au/contact_us/dva_offices/Pages/index.aspx

CONFIRMED ATTENDEES FOR REUNION 2020: AS AT 20 May 2020Austin Norm & Sue Hepburn Rob & BethBarlow John & Gloria Hewat Bill & DorisBenton Ross & Jan Hince Noel & RosemaryBoucaut Geoff & Lyn Hobbs Grahame & AnneBowden Chris Koch Wayne & HelenBridley Peter & Wendy Lawrence DougBrown David & Anthea Mahoney Steve & MarieBuxallen Danny Marsh Gordon & CherieCashmere Rod & Fran Meeke Rod & SandraCassady Peter & Yvonne Moloney PamCunningham William & Chris Olsen Moscatt Phill & Julia BillowsCunningham Frank & Dot Palfery Ian & JudyDickson Diane Pulford Graham & RosemaryDixon Ned Rodgers Ian & GayeDrews Graham & Diana Rook Denis & LynnEllis Bob and Sheryl Ruming GregoryFlack Alan & Delecia Sayer Peter & FriendFolland Kim & Karyon Simpson David & KathyFry Arthur & Annette Stanford AlanGraham Ken & Colleen Udvardy George & AnneHandley Warren Verhelst John & Helen LangeHarper Brian & Anne Vines Bill & Rosemary MenereHasler John & Maureen Walker Kerry & Annette DavisHenderson Ian & Eilleen Woolhouse John & Cheryl

CoronaVirus – the light side.1. When the Northern Territory’s strict coronavirus travel restrictions slowed passing

trade to a trickle, a Top End roadhouse decided it was time to try something new.

The Dunmarra Wayside Inn, 315 kilometres south of Katherine, is owned by pilot Gary Frost.

Most of the surrounding cattle stations were now in lockdown – so he had little choice but to take to the skies to keep the locals in high spirits.

“Nobody can go anywhere, they’re limited to how they get their supplies and refreshments,” Mr Frost said.

“We thought we might do something to help them out a little bit.

“We make pizzas at Dunmarra roadhouse anyway, so we thought we would get all the pizzas together and see if they were interested, if we can fly them out, so they don’t have to leave the properties.” (The New Daily, 3 April 2020)

2. Nudists in the Czech Republic have been congratulated for covering up – their mouths.

The famous nudist ‘beach’ (it’s actually the shore of a quarry pond) at the spa town of Lázně Bohdaneč, about 90 kilometres outside of Prague, was still drawing self-isolating nude crowds.

But they weren’t all adhering to the federally enforced rule of donning a mouth and nose cover when out in public. The rule was introduced about a month ago, with the exception of solo athletes, such as joggers.

However, it was being flouted by nudists. Presumably because wearing a mask meant they were no longer nude

The police had to clarify the rule with messages such as “Naked body yes, open mouth no”, and “Lying naked in the water is not what we consider to be doing sports”.

But apparently the warnings have paid off. Police patrols through the area over the Easter weekend reported no non-mask violations.

Good work, Czechs. (The New Daily, 15 April 2020)

3. Australia is battling through the drudgery and fears of the coronavirus attack and counterattack but its people are also sharing a remarkable condition of strength.

They are happy. In fact just as happy as in May last year when there was no virus, mass dole queues or police-enforced lockdowns and the pubs were open.

That’s a finding of an Essential Research survey released Tuesday which gives an insight into how Australians are putting up with this unprecedented crisis.

Of course there are big worries: 85% of voters are concerned about the economy.

And 12% reported to Essential Research that they were struggling with self-isolation and feared for their mental health.

However, there also is a happy streak, discovered when voters were asked to rate their overall happiness out of 10.

The average was 6.7 out of 10, the same as figures recorded in May 2019. And it was roughly the same for all age groups.

Happiness with personal and family matters rates seven; and 6.4 for spiritual life.

The least happiness is with financial situations, on 5.6.

It seems Australians are adjusting to the restrictions, with 57% of voters telling Essential they spend more time connecting with people through text messages, phone calls and online chats. A further 21% are taking up online activities such as fitness classes and school subjects.

Just over half of respondents say they have no concerns about reduced contact with friends and family, or that they are coping with seeing them less.

But 37% are missing those connections and sadly 12% are feeling isolated or are struggling to maintain a daily routine.

One factor which might aid endurance of emergency measures is that 59% of voters believe the response to Covid-19 is about right, up from 46% last week.

Just 13% think it is an overreaction.

The federal government is credited with doing a quite good or very good job by 63% of voters, up from 58% last week.

All mainland state governments are saluted by a majority of their voters, with an interesting demarcation between the major states of New South Wales and Victoria, the principal voices in the national cabinet apart from the federal government.

The Victorian Labor government is rated as providing a good response by 75% of voters. The NSW Coalition government rating was just 56%.

That wasn’t the lowest of the states – that went to Queensland with just 52% approval.

The Western Australian government’s response was the most popular on 79%, while South Australia rated 71%. (The Guardian, 14 April 2020)

CHARLIE: MY mindDog DOGThose of you who attended the Phillip Island Reunion in October 2018 would remember Charlie, my Labradoodle. What you may not know is that he was my mindDog. Acute anxiety, agoraphobia, crippling depression, PTSD and Bi-polar are just some of the conditions that a mindDog can help its handler to manage.

Once you have your dog confirmed along with its special coat and ID it is allowed into restaurants, clubs, hotels, buses, trains, etc. (except in the passenger part of aircraft). Should any person not allow the dog into their venue, it’s a $12,000 fine (Federal) – not only NSW but Australia wide.

Drought, fires, Coronavirus, have all impacted us – including mindDogs. Cath Phillips from NSW founded mindDog in 2011 after

discovering the freedom a psychiatric assistance dog gave her to be out and about in society again.

MindDog needs to raise some $600 per dog above any client fees. They have about 1500 dogs across Australia: that therefore equates to some $900,000 to cover the shortfall. Any tax deductible donation you can give them would greatly assist providing the transformational service that makes a mindDog. www.minddog.org.au or email them on info@mindDog.org.au

For more information about service dogs in the military, access:

www.apadivisions.org/division-19/publications/newsletters/military/2015/04/service-dogs.aspx.

SOME LIGHT HUMOUR

Even our Treasurer (Helen) can tell a joke.Due to the current financial situation caused by the Coronavirus and slowdown in the economy, the Government has decided to implement a scheme to put workers of 50 years of age and above on early, mandatory retirement, thus creating jobs and reducing unemployment.

This scheme will be known as RAPE (Retire Aged People Early). Persons selected to be RAPED can apply to the Government to be considered for the SHAFT program (Special Help After Forced Termination).

Persons who have been RAPED and SHAFTED will be reviewed under the SCREW program (System Covering Retired-Early Workers). A person may be RAPED once, SHAFTED twice and SCREWED as many times as the Government deems appropriate.

Persons who have been RAPED could get AIDS (Additional Income for Dependents & Spouse) or HERPES (Half Earnings for Retired Personnel Early Severance).

Obviously persons who have AIDS or HERPES will not be SHAFTED or SCREWED any

further by the Government.

Persons who are not RAPED and are staying on will receive as much SHIT (Special High Intensity Training) as possible. The Government has always prided themselves on the amount of SHIT they give our citizens.

Should you feel that you do not receive enough SHIT, please bring this to the attention of your TD, who has been trained to give you all the SHIT you can handle.

Sincerely,

The Committee for Economic Value of Individual Lives (E.V.I.L.)

PS - Due to Coronavirus, recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas and oil, as well as current market conditions, The Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off.

(Ed: just don’t get her started on “The Wide-Mouth Frog” joke!)

The Parade:An Assistant to Donald Trump  told him she had a fantastic dream last night.

There was a humongous parade in Washington celebrating Trump. Millions lined the parade route, cheering when the President went past. Bands were playing; children were throwingconfetti into the air; there were balloons everywhere.

It was the biggest celebration Washington had ever seen. 

Trump was very impressed and said, "That's really great! By the way, how did I look in your dream? Was my hair okay?"

His assistant said, "I couldn't tell, the casket was closed."

FROM Peter Fitzsimon (SMH 29 March 2020)With restricted air travel, Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Angela Merkel, the Pope and Greta Thunberg must share the one plane, flying from London to Zurich for an emergency global coronavirus meeting. Suddenly, all the engines cut out, and it is obvious they will soon crash. But there are only four parachutes!

“I’m the smartest man in the USA,” Trump says, “and am needed to make America great again.” He takes one and jumps.

“I’m needed to sort out Britain,” says Boris Johnson. He takes one and jumps.

“I need one as the world needs the Catholic church,” the Pope says. He takes one and jumps.

Angela Merkel turns to Greta Thunberg: “You can have the last parachute. I’ve lived my life. Yours is just starting, and we need you to lead the world on climate change action.”

“Don’t worry Chancellor,” replies Greta, “there are two parachutes left. The smartest man in the USA just jumped out with my school satchel.”

MEMBERSHIP 2020-2021Membership fees for members who did not attend the Phillip Island reunion in November 2018 are asked to pay the membership fee for 2020/21 being $40 and to please deposit into the Association’s account or send us a cheque. Those members with email addresses will receive their quarterly RED RAT electronically. The RED RAT printing and mailing costs us. From the May 2020 issue, unfortunately, the mailed version will only be sent to financial members in order to save a few dollars. Please make your cheque payable to HQ1ATF ASSOCIATION and post to PO Box 685, MERIMBULA NSW 2548 OR (preferably) EFT to BSB: 082697 HQ1ATF Association Account No. 188667746 NAB (Please reference your name)

Meet the Reunion Committee President : John Verhelst (also RED RAT Editor) PO Box 685, Merimbula, 25480437 212 121 jeverhelst@gmail.com

Secretary: Brian Harper OAM 9 Albion St, Invermay, Launceston, 7248

0417 074 616 vvaabchoam@gmail.com

Vice President: Bob Sutton 19 Correa Place, Inverloch, 39960400 825 386 bobhelen1969@gmail.com

Treasurer: Dr Helen Lange (wife of John V) 0412 089 224 helen@jhconsult.com.au

Committee SA: Graeme PulfordPO Box 174, Clare, SA 54530418 422 183rosemaryandgraeme@bigpond.com

VIC: Ian Palfery 27A Nelson Street, Sandringham, 31910419 737 553 palfery@iinet.net.au

NSW: Norm Austin PO Box 389, Moss Vale 2577 normanbaustin@yahoo.com.au 0427 854 141

WA: Rob Hepburn 140 Holland Street, Wembley, 6041Heppy1946@yahoo.com.au0408 096 971

QLD: Don Aldous OAM 4 Prunus Place, Caloundra, 45510417 766 628heather.aldous47@gmail.com

Webmaster: John Eller jnjeller@bigpond.com